The House of Representatives has urged the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to capture Vulnerable Nigerians in it’s program to address their health challenges, especially those unable to afford basic medical health care.
In a motion moved during plenary, Hon. Bashiru Ayinla Dawodu, explained that socio-economic development is not achievable without access to quality and affordable health care.
He expressed worry that over 83 million vulnerable populations comprising pregnant women, children under five targets of universal coverage, thus increasing the rate of out-of-pocket health expenditure.
He further expressed his concern that it costs about 5 billion to cover 5 million persons annually at the rate of N15,000 per person.
“After 23 years, only five million Nigerians have enrolled in the National Health Insurance.
“Also I express concern that in 2022 NNPC spent N4 trillion which is equivalent of ($9.7bn) on fuel subsidy and N3.6 trillion in six months of 2023, while being cognizant of the fact that the health care crisis cannot be resolved without universal health care coverage, which annot be achieved without meeting the target of the national health insurance”.
In it’s resolve, the House urged the President to allocate part of the fuel subsidy removal savings to the vulnerable health fund.
The House further mandated the committees on Health Institutions and Finance to ensure compliance and for the NHIA to ensure implementation.
